Guidelines

• team based approach each staff member works fully within the realm of his or her educational and clinical expertise and job description
• primary health care provider diagnoses and treats disease
• physician's assistant acts to a limited extent in the role of the physician during the physician’s absence and conducts physical examinations, performs diagnostic procedures, assists in the operating room and emergency department, and performs treatments
• nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who is educated to diagnose and treat acute illness and chronic conditions; health promotion and maintenance is a focus
• advanced practice registered nurses may work in a variety of specialty areas including family practice, internal medicine, acute gerontology, women’s health or obstetrics, acute care, pediatrics, or other specialty areas
• physical therapist assists in examining, testing, and treating clients recuperating from injuries, illness, or surgery and physically disabled clients
• occupational therapist develops adaptive devices that help chronically ill clients or clients with a disability perform activities of daily living
• respiratory therapist delivers treatments designed to improve the client’s ventilation and oxygenation status
• speech therapist evaluates a client’s ability to swallow safely and evaluates speech and communication ability
• nutritionist assists in planning dietary measures to improve or maintain a client’s nutritional status
• continuiting care nurse coordinates discharge plans for the client
• assistive personnel helps the registered nurse with specified tasks and functions
• pharmacist formulates and dispenses
• social worker counsel’s clients and families about home care services and assists the continuing care nurse with planning and facilitating discharge
• chaplain offers spiritual support and guidance to clients and families
• administrative staff organize and schedule diagnostic tests and procedures and arrange for services needed by the client and family